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Pregnancy and herpes

Birth-acquired herpes is a herpes virus infection that an infant gets (acquires) from the mother during pregnancy or birth.

Causes

Newborn infants can become infected with herpes virus:

In the uterus (congenital herpes -- this is unusual)

Passing through the birth canal (birth-acquired herpes, the most common method of infection)

Right after birth (postpartum) from kissing or having other contact with someone who has herpes mouth sores

If the mother has an active genital herpes infection at the time of delivery, the baby is more likely to become infected during birth. Some mothers may not be aware they have internal (inside the vagina) herpes sores.

Treatment

Herpes virus infections in infants are generally treated with medicine given through a vein (intravenous). Acyclovir is the most common antiviral medicine used for this purpose. The baby may need to take the medicine for several weeks.

Other therapy is often needed to treat the effects of herpes infection, such as shock or seizures. Often, because these babies are very ill, treatment is done in an intensive care unit.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Infants with systemic herpes or encephalitis often do poorly, despite antiviral medications and early treatment.

In infants with skin disease, the vesicles may come back repeatedly even after treatment is finished. These recurrences put them at risk for learning disabilities, and may need to be treated.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If your baby has any symptoms of birth-acquired herpes, including skin lesions alone, have the baby seen by your health care provider promptly.

Prevention

It is important for you to tell your doctor or nurse if youhave ahistory of genital herpes. If you have frequent herpes outbreaks, you will be given a medicine called acyclovir to take during the last month of pregnancy. This helps prevent anoutbreak around the time of delivery.C-section is recommended for pregnant women who have a new herpes sore and are in labor.

Safer sexual practices can help prevent the mother from getting genital herpes. Mothers who are not infected with herpes cannot pass the herpes virus to the baby during delivery.

People with "cold sores" (herpes labialis) should avoid contact with newborn infants. Caregivers who have a cold sore should wear a surgical mask and wash their hands carefully before coming into contact with the infant to prevent transmitting the virus.

Mothers should speak to their health care providers about the best way to minimize the risk of transmitting herpes to their infant.

Congenital herpes - illustration

Infants may acquire congenital herpes from a mother with an active, possibly inapparent herpes infection at the time of birth. Aggressive treatment with antiviral medication is required, but may not be effective in the case of systemic herpes.

Congenital herpes

illustration

Congenital herpes - illustration

Infants may acquire congenital herpes from a mother with an active, possibly inapparent herpes infection at the time of birth. Aggressive treatment with antiviral medication is required, but may not be effective in the case of systemic herpes.